Post by ucfinfan86 on Jan 27, 2024 13:54:08 GMT
This was done after preseason 1 and then adjusted for the Luka trade
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (58-24) +18 wins
Loved the Tatum trade and then additional growth from Chet. Have a really good starting 5 and have Harden as the 6th man. Could use one more big, but overall depth of the roster is strong
2. Denver Nuggets (54-28) +2 wins
Quiet offseason for Nuggets. Solid starting 5, but lack real quality depth. Jokic has as good of a chance as any to repeat as MVP
3. Dallas Mavericks (53-29) +4 wins
I don’t know what to do with this. I preferred Tatum but understood team building and preferring Giddey/Paolo. Same thing with Luka trade. They have a ton of pieces. I originally had them at 57 wins before Luka trade
4. Minnesota Timberwolves (52-30) +1 wins
Reigning champs have a big hole to fill at PG IMO. I think Edwards is in for a better season than last, but don’t love their roster outside of their big 3. May struggle to put up enough points with only Edwards/KAT as real scorers on the roster currently.
5. Memphis Grizzlies (48-34) +9 wins
Adding Adams/Clarke to the lineup from last season. Can they find a starter at SF? Have good depth down low, but potentially counting on a lot of young players in the rotation.
6. Sacramento Kings (43-39) +2 wins
Kind of a quiet offseason. Their vets did improve in TC. Don’t love the Sabonis/Grant front court defensively, but Fox/Caruso kind of makes up for it. Could really use a step up from Keegan this year.
7. Utah Jazz (40-42) -6 wins
Long term I like the Luka trade. Getting a stud and building out the team is easier. No idea what they do this season. Luka just goes ham? Last 2 playoff spots in West is up for grabs without “great” competition
8. Phoenix Suns (40-42) -13 wins
This was a tough team to take over. Roster is unexciting outside of Booker. Badly need another wing. Do have a solid big man trio with Nurkic/Ayton/Poeltl
9. Houston Rockets (40-42) +1 win
There’s a lot of young talent on this roster. I think they are a year away from making some real noise. Need one of their young guys to pop into all-star terriority. They are prime for a young player consoldiation trade for said all-star too.
10. San Antonio Spurs (34-48) +4 wins
had a pretty good offseason. Will be watching Siakams production. Team has pieces but is a PG and another TC away from competing
11. Los Angeles Lakers (30-52) +1 wins
The bottom of the west is horrible and the Lakers are the best of that group. Reeves alone will carry them to some wins.
12. Golden State Warriors (23-59) -24 wins
MIA GM who lost best player and didn’t do anything. Roster is really bad.
13. Portland Trailblazers (22-60) +5 wins
Still rebuilding. Picked up an asset for Harden and has 2 blocks with Scoot and Holland
14. Los Angeles Clippers (18-64) +1 win
Very very bad roster. Should allow Barr to eat and easily win ROTY
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (58-24) +18 wins
Loved the Tatum trade and then additional growth from Chet. Have a really good starting 5 and have Harden as the 6th man. Could use one more big, but overall depth of the roster is strong
2. Denver Nuggets (54-28) +2 wins
Quiet offseason for Nuggets. Solid starting 5, but lack real quality depth. Jokic has as good of a chance as any to repeat as MVP
3. Dallas Mavericks (53-29) +4 wins
I don’t know what to do with this. I preferred Tatum but understood team building and preferring Giddey/Paolo. Same thing with Luka trade. They have a ton of pieces. I originally had them at 57 wins before Luka trade
4. Minnesota Timberwolves (52-30) +1 wins
Reigning champs have a big hole to fill at PG IMO. I think Edwards is in for a better season than last, but don’t love their roster outside of their big 3. May struggle to put up enough points with only Edwards/KAT as real scorers on the roster currently.
5. Memphis Grizzlies (48-34) +9 wins
Adding Adams/Clarke to the lineup from last season. Can they find a starter at SF? Have good depth down low, but potentially counting on a lot of young players in the rotation.
6. Sacramento Kings (43-39) +2 wins
Kind of a quiet offseason. Their vets did improve in TC. Don’t love the Sabonis/Grant front court defensively, but Fox/Caruso kind of makes up for it. Could really use a step up from Keegan this year.
7. Utah Jazz (40-42) -6 wins
Long term I like the Luka trade. Getting a stud and building out the team is easier. No idea what they do this season. Luka just goes ham? Last 2 playoff spots in West is up for grabs without “great” competition
8. Phoenix Suns (40-42) -13 wins
This was a tough team to take over. Roster is unexciting outside of Booker. Badly need another wing. Do have a solid big man trio with Nurkic/Ayton/Poeltl
9. Houston Rockets (40-42) +1 win
There’s a lot of young talent on this roster. I think they are a year away from making some real noise. Need one of their young guys to pop into all-star terriority. They are prime for a young player consoldiation trade for said all-star too.
10. San Antonio Spurs (34-48) +4 wins
had a pretty good offseason. Will be watching Siakams production. Team has pieces but is a PG and another TC away from competing
11. Los Angeles Lakers (30-52) +1 wins
The bottom of the west is horrible and the Lakers are the best of that group. Reeves alone will carry them to some wins.
12. Golden State Warriors (23-59) -24 wins
MIA GM who lost best player and didn’t do anything. Roster is really bad.
13. Portland Trailblazers (22-60) +5 wins
Still rebuilding. Picked up an asset for Harden and has 2 blocks with Scoot and Holland
14. Los Angeles Clippers (18-64) +1 win
Very very bad roster. Should allow Barr to eat and easily win ROTY
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